By: John Axtell Posted at: 10/26/2017 06:33 PMFOSTER, Neb. - A northeast Nebraska hog farmer and former college professor hopes to challenge 3rd District Congressman Adrian Smith in next year's general election.

. Paul Theobald of rural Foster is the first Democrat to declare for the race against Smith, who has easily won election 6 times since winning a crowded Republican primary in 2006 to succeed Tom Osborne.

Theobald, a former professor at Wayne State College, lives on a small farm in rural Pierce County with his wife, pasture-raising purebred heritage breed hogs.

Theobald says he supports Medicare for all and a higher minimum wage, but opposes the Keystone XL pipeline...adding that if elected, he would focus on the needs of rural Nebraska - residents, communities, businesses and schools.

The sprawling 3rd District is one of the largest non-at-large Congressional districts in the country, covering nearly 65,000 square miles, two time zones and all or parts of 69 counties while touching all 6 corners of the state.

It has elected a Democrat just once since 1934, in 1958 and for just one term.